AVSI at the forefront of DR Congo conflict

During one of the most tense and tragic days of recent years, AVSI carried out food assistance activities to support vulnerable people through a project funded by the Director General of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO).

About 30.000 displaced people, without shelter or food, received a one-month food supply of maize/cassava flour, beans, vegetable oil, salt (according to the food ration provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), which consists of cereals, proteins, pulses and salt).
The capture of Goma, in North Kivu, by M23 rebels caused large troop movements, reorganization of rebel groups, arms trafficking,looting and panic among people.
In this unstable and extremely dangerous context, where most of the humanitarian interventions are on standby, with the pressure of one of the several armed groups of the area and without family contacts (no phone coverage), AVSI food-security team showed courage and commitment, that went beyond their “duty”.
After five days of hard work and tension, on Monday 26th November, AVSI team went back to Bukavu to join the whole AVSI family and the Country Representative, Guy Halsey.